The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-11-25
MRS. CHATHAM.
A Husbands Promise and a Wife's
Distrust.

Distrust.
He was one of the cleverest fellows
in the world, and she was the prettiest
Of women. Such at least was the YER
dict OF the little watering place where
nc first met her. She passed his hotel
every morning on her way to the
beach and he thought her more charm
ing each day. And yet he resisted
temptation and did not seek an intro
duction for the simple reason that he
was not only clever but eccentric, and
decided in his ecccntricities; and one
of his irmly-rooted prejudicos was on
the subject Of divorce. Hence his
aversion to q closer contact with n di-
vorcee, who had already attracted him
from a distance; for so Mabel Chatham
WAS generally called, though as q mat
of fact she was not divorced. nor in the
immediate expectation of so being.
But the world of a small, French water
ing place does not stop 10 make deli
cate distinctions, and as the "belle-
AuNeviCaino" was living away from her
husband, 1t drew its own conclusions
accordingly. Many tried to explain il
but none succeeded, rs no one had
succeeded on the other side of the
water. where Mrs. Chatham's affairs
had been an interesting but unfruitful
source of discussion.
Married very young TO clever fell
low, her life had showed only sunshine
10 all bcholders, till Tom Chatham had
become involved in some business
troubles. owing. il was said, 10 rash
spcculahons. Then, almost before he
was safely eNtricated, came the strange
move on Mabers part Without any
talk, quietly and so suddenly that her
own family were COMPOUNDED, she left
America and had now been living for
about year in Europe.
And thus Il was that she happened
70 be at these Frcnch bans, and TO pass
under Ronald Grey's window every
morning. He got to expecting her
after awhile. and TO be disappointed
when il rained and there was no chance
of seeing the little, quick-moving
figure, with its wealth of golden hair
and the dark eyes that were strangely
quiet and unwavering. He found him
self weaving her into the story he had
sought this rather quiet place to finish;
only he never could quite catch the
charm of the living woman In his clev-
crest bits of description. She baflied
him. hence his wish to meet her, but
she attracted him, hence his long re-
sistanCc.
At last chance brought it about.
Walking on the beach one afternoon
he heard voices on the other side of
point Of rock. and rounding it. came in
sight of Mrs Chatham presenting an
immovable front TO an obstreperous
beggar. who promised shortly to be-
come more formidable, to Judge by the
way his eyes were fixed on the pocket
book in her hand.
Ronald Grey paused a moment to adj
mire the little figure, standing there
with the small head erect and a certain
decided look in'thc mouth that argued
an for the bcggar. Then he went to
the rescue. routing the offender with
great slaughter. and earning for him
self-simply the right to lift his hat
and withdraw, noting with satisfaction,
however. that Mrs. Chatham grew
neither hystcrical nor cfTusively CRATE
full, either OF which would have been
foreign TO her nature as he had drawn
her, Aud really 10 was some satisfac-
ton to sketch pretty woman from tho
distance and find the attempt So TRUTH
full.
So 10 might have ended had not some
mutual friends come along the beach
at this moment. and seeing the state Of
the case, made the two actors in the
little scene acquainted with each other.
So they walked home together, Grey
arguing with himself that il was Of no
use trying 10 shiyk q good opportunity
Of studying character when il came so
tcmptingly in bis path.
After Tins hC called on her. and as
they were both tlihe lonely and q
trino odd. friendly acquaintance was
founded, and Ronald Grey grew 10 be
n constant visitor 60 Mrs Chatham's
pension.
She took a strong interest Ia his
book. stronger, he some times thought
than in himself and he never took the
trouble to inform her that She had Just
attracted him as a study" and that
her lissome figure and peculiar. low
toned voice were grazing his favorite
heroine
Whom they first spoke Of his pur-
suits. she was startled. and exclaimed
quickly. You write? But is il pos
sihlo, can Won be Mr.. Grey, Ronald
Grey. the authorP'
The very same, he said, smiling.
Then ] think j know your name
quite wen, " she said. slow dush ris-
lng as she spoke And then a light
broke on Mr.. Grey's ignorance. and De
began;
+Can IL be chat yon-"
"Nes, she Interrupted, quietly, ~